We are ready to lift

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) welcomes the election of the new Australian Government and offers our congratulations to the incoming Prime Minister, Mr Abbott.

We welcome the comments on Saturday night  by Mr Abbott that “a good government is one with a duty to help everyone to maximise his or her potential. Indigenous people. People with disability. And our forgotten families, as well as those who Menzies described as lifters, not leaners.”

People with Disability Australia President Craig Wallace said, “people with disability are ready to lift and can do so with the right supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We also need employment services to lift their game and to be more accountable for outcomes directly to people with disability through NDIS style funding.”

“We know – along with the first Australians,” said Mr Wallace, “that the wrong kind of care can be the care that drags you down. A culture of “reliance” or “care” denies our potential ready to be tapped and we want to be part of the change.”

“Over the last few years and during the election campaign, we developed a close appreciation of the knowledge and skills that Senator Mitch Fifield brings to this area,” said Mr Wallace, “and we hope to have the opportunity to work with him in the new Ministerial line up to be announced by Mr Abbott.   A representation for disability at Ministerial level is important and will be well received.”

During the election campaign PWDA presented a live debate which was attended by Minister Fifield and webcast across Australia. At this debate a number of positive ideas for jobs and opportunities were presented to both parties. Some solutions were to make greater use of States, Territory’s and Local Government to procure base level jobs, leverage accessible procurement, give people with disability greater control of employment services to help lift ourselves out of disadvantage, implement the National Disability Strategy to remove community barriers and ensure the public sector demonstrates best practice to employers across the board, including through signature measures such as Parliamentary Internships.